DEPUTY Prime Minister Chester Cooper will head a delegation of Bahamian ministerial and technical experts to Qatar and Saudi Arabia this weekend.
Mr Cooper, minister of tourism, investments and aviation, said the purpose of this mission is to engage in mutual interest and cooperation around aviation, investments and financial services while positioning The Bahamas as the regional leader in sustainable tourism.
“We are seeking to connect the Americas to the rest of the world and to be the gateway in the region for the Middle East and Asia,” he said in a press statement yesterday.
The delegation will focus mainly on the aviation sector, with the aim of establishing avenues of technical cooperation and opportunities for training, particularly in the areas of aviation safety oversight, deepening air connectivity and positioning The Bahamas to become the logistical hub for aviation and tourism in the region.
The deputy prime minister said one of the main goals of such trips is to increase the diversification of the country’s visitor profile.
“We are aware that visitors who travel from the Middle East and beyond will likely have longer stays and increased visitor spend,” he said.
“Therefore, we will be discussing ways to raise our tourism profile in these countries, with the expected result being an increased airlift, seat capacity and overall visitor arrivals to The Bahamas.”
The mission will also explore opportunities for investment and public private partnerships from the development funds of both governments, as well as the private sector in those countries.
The governments of Qatar and Saudi Arabia have invited the delegation and have agreed to substantially underwrite the costs associated with the visit.
The deputy prime minister’s delegation will include Minister of Economic Affairs Senator Michael Halkitis, and acting director of aviation and deputy director of tourism Dr Kenneth Romer, director of Civil Aviation Alexander Ferguson and director of investments Phylicia Woods-Hanna.
The delegation begins travel on Friday, May 27, and will return on Friday, June 3, 2022.
Comments
gumbolimbo 2 years, 5 months ago
Well, I guess everyone has already left for Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Is this Government listening? The tourists and private pilots no longer want to come here. It's becoming too tedious with last minute changes and new hoops to jump through at the whim of this "New Day" government. The cost of everything on these Islands are exorbitant and Bahamians really don't want tourists and foreigners here anyway...
hrysippus 2 years, 5 months ago
Qatar, a country ruled by an unelected monarch with absolute power and no political opposition allowed. Female citizens of this country must be veiled when outside their homes. Public executions by beheading. I wonder what the chest of political cronies will learn to benefit the Bahamian people? Nothing good most probably.
Maximilianotto 2 years, 5 months ago
The farer away the lesser harm they can do to the country.
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